Rabelais is Thelema’s top Cabernet based blend and
last week, at their Annual Boland Braai for the trade, Gyles Webb took us
through a tasting of four vintages, starting with the 2010 and working back
through to 2007. The first three all have an element of Petit Verdot whilst the
oldest just has 20% Merlot. All were superb, but the oldest one was the real
block buster. If you have any, we suggest you serve it with Christmas dinner. The
2007 does have the classic Thelema ‘mint’ from the eucalyptus trees on the
property, which adds another dimension to the wine. The newer vintages’
Cabernet is from a vineyard higher up the mountain, which does not have the
eucalyptus influence, so they show purer cassis fruit.
We love going
to this very relaxed event held from late afternoon on the farm. This year, his
viticulturalist Werner Schultz braaied some excellent boerewors. All the
Sutherland and Thelema wines are available for tasting and this year and there
were many people we know so it became a real party. Thank you, Webb family.
Gyles Webb and
Lynne sharing a joke
Gyles
presenting the four Rabelais vintages
Michele van
Eeden arranged the event and poured the wines. Chef Christophe Dehosse from
Joostenberg is in the background
There were
some new generation wine family members present! This is Michele’s husband, Frans
van Eeden and their son, Eben. Buffet table behind them
Thomas Webb
was doing a sterling job pouring tastes of the complete range of the Sutherland
and Thelema wines to the large gathering of wine people
Another
relaxed party on the lawn with lots of children having fun. Next year they
might have to get a jumping castle
Lots of room
to play
and master braaier, viticulturalist Werner Schultz getting the braai fire going
Frans van Eeden gets the sausage on
Christian Eedes
with Thomas Webb
